How to choose the right CO2 laser marking machine parameters

Selecting the proper parameters for a CO2 laser marking machine directly affects the processing effect and efficiency.It can help you quickly master the skills of regulating parameters from the perspectives of material characteristics, laser power, and marking speed, thereby solving common problems such as unclear markings and low efficiency.

First, make sure you know what material you want to mark.

Don't jump right in and start working, first get a clear understanding of the material.For example, materials such as leather, glass, and plastic all react differently to lasers.For instance, if you try to engrave a soft material like leather at too high a power level, you will burn a hole in it in seconds. On the other hand, if you use too low a power level on a hard material like glass, you may not even leave a scratch.

The thickness and color of the material must also be taken into consideration.

Dark materials absorb light well, so the power can be lowered.And if you're dealing with a reflective material like clear acrylic, you may need to boost the power by 10-15 %.In terms of thickness, the penetrating power required for 2mm and 5mm materials is in a completely different league.

More power is not necessarily better.

Many people think that when the power is maxed out, that's it, but in fact it's the same principle as driving a manual transmission car-you have to shift gears at the right time.In general, it is suggested that one begin by trying the middle value recommended by the manufacturer. For example, when carving wood, one can begin with a 30 % power setting, and then gradually increase the power by 5 % increments until satisfactory results are obtained.

The art of balancing power and speed.

Raising the power level will indeed increase the laser's speed, but one should be careful not to cause overheating and carbonization of the edges.When you are printing a fine picture, you can reduce the power by 10 % and the speed by a matching amount. You will notice that the lines are much finer.

The secret of the speed of the label press.

If you go too fast, you will miss a lot, but if you go too slow, you will waste your time.There's a little trick: First use scrap material to test the speed gradient.For example, they might begin with 500mm / s and increase the speed by 50mm / s each time until they reach the critical value at which the image is still clear.

Complex patterns are divided into sections.

If you encounter a logo with a gradient or small lettering, don't expect to be able to get everything with one parameter.Divide the image into a main body and a fine detail section, and run the main body at normal speed. For the fine detail area, reduce the speed by 20-30 %, and the results will be immediate.

Don't forget the frequency and focal length.

The frequency is like the "respiratory rate" of the laser. A high frequency (e.g. 20 kHz) produces a denser array of dots, which is good for engraving metal. But to cut materials like foam, a lower frequency is needed to prevent the material from sticking to the laser.Focus adjustment is a delicate process; remember to refocus every time you change materials, so that you don't ruin a whole batch of goods.

Tips for real-life debugging.

It's really not a big deal to keep a notebook with a list of parameters. Every time you successfully create a sample, write down the materials and parameters you used. Next time you're faced with a similar situation, you can just use the same ones.When you encounter a new material, don't panic. Start with a test area the size of your palm. Start in the middle and work your way out in both directions. This is much less work than just randomly adjusting the settings.